OKAO TITLE IN THE BENIN KINGDOM

As an indigene of Benin from a community with an ‘Okao’ as the traditional head, I have been in situations where I had to explain to people the roles and duties of ‘Okao’ in the Benin Kingdom. Many Edo indigenes, particularly the Benins still do not understand the ‘Okao’title and its duties/roles in the Benin Kingdom even though the first Okao (Ikao) were installed in the 15th century by Oba Ewuare ‘The Great’ (ruled 1440-1473 AD). Though, I know a brief history of the Benin Kingdom and traditional titles based on historical accounts of my forefathers. Nevertheless, I decided to find out more about Okao title by venturing into a little research based on historical books/resources, elders account, and the stories that took place at that time. My findings have enabled me to upgrade my knowledge of it and I am happy to share.

Okao, whose plural is Ikao, like Enogie (Enigie) are traditional rulers/heads of villages or communities who administer the affairs of their communities on behalf of the Benin Monarch. However, in a village or community where there is no Okao or Enogie, the Odionwere (head of EdionN’ene - the four elders) who presides in proceedings at Ogua-Edion (Elders’ ancestral shrine building), would administer as the head on behalf of the Oba. Ikao and Enigie are both direct subjects and representatives of the Oba of Benin in their respective communities. The research clearly identified the additional roles of Ikao in addition to the day-to-day administration of their communities. From research findings, Ikao were only found to be installed in river-bounded/riverine communities or border communities with a significant population size of non-native and settlers. Ikao has the additional responsibilities to ensure that their communities are not annexed by settlers and to protect the Kingdom and stem the tide of invasion by monitoring every activity in the rivers or at the borders within their control. Hence, Ikao are perceived as 'warrior-like' traditional heads in the Benin Kingdom. As well, it was established that some Ikao are responsible for performing the sacred traditional rite of specialist shrines in their villages/communities on behalf of the Oba.

Okao title was introduced by Oba Ewuare ‘The Great’ (1440-1473), founder of the Benin Empire as he launched Benin into the era of the warrior kings (c.1440-1473) (Osadolor, 2001). In his proactive administrative, he created a strongly centralised system to administer his empire. He went further and appointed new ranks of bureaucrats and Town/Village Chiefs (When We Ruled, 2006). These acted as administrative arms, directly appointed and accountable to the Oba, who would collect tribute, deal with legal issues, control access into the Empire and generally take part in the affairs of state(When We Ruled, 2006). To foster this, amongst different strategies, he installed Okao in some of the river-bounded communities along the Ovia river as his representatives to administer the affairs of their respective communities, and control the river access within their jurisdictions.

Accordingly, Oba Ewuare (1440-1473) installed Okao in Unuame, Ite, Ikoro, Ikpako, and Gele-Gele along the Ovia river which connects the Bight of Benin and down into the Atlantic Ocean. Subsequently, additional Okao were installed by Oba Ewuare (1440-1473) and his successors in some other river-bounded/riverine communities such as Iyera, Igbihiehie, Ogbese, Iguikpe, Isiuwa, Iguhoro, and Azagba to administer the affairs of their communities and further stem the tide of invasion into the empire. Following interviews with elders of some of the communities along the Ovia river with ‘Okao’, the idea behind their installation became logical and understandable. Ovia river was the only river access into the Empire as at then. Inevitably, Okao sailed their rivers/waterways and restricted its access to non-dwellers and the then European traders into the capital. No wonder elders often address some of the Okao in communities along the Ovia river as"Okao O'zigue", which interprets directly as "Okao The Sailor".

Undoubtedly, Oba Erediauwa (1979-2016) during his reign, may have recognised the unique roles of Okao in the Benin Kingdom as an inestimable one and therefore, appointed six (6) more Okao (Ikao) in some border communities in 2015 (see video link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P9_V-Tpjh5Y). According to the Idependent Television and Radio (2015), "as part of measures to find lasting solution to the lingering perennial problem of incursion into Benin land across border communities with Delta State, the Palace of the Benin Monarch has appointed Okao, also known as traditional heads as his representatives to oversee the affairs of six communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area". The communities are Evberhoba, Adolosa, Obanakhoro, Ovbiebo, Abe, and Erhunmwunse.

The present Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare (II) (2016-Date) is endowed with rare administrative prowess. There is no doubt he too would find the unique duties and responsibilities of Okao useful in stemming invasions into the Benin Kingdom. His style has already brought about the settling of boundary disputes among villages and communities, and the arrival of potential foreign investors into Benin from all over the world in his commitment to change the current face of Edo. He is equally determined to make Benin a tourist destination in the face of the world as many potential tourist sites have been identified for development. These are a welcome development and his commitment is evident in his close collaboration and support for the current Governor of Edo State and his officials.

Besides administering the affairs of their respective villages, preventing their territories from being annexed and protecting the Kingdom from attacks by monitoring activities in the rivers, Okao has the responsibility of identifying the needs of their people and bringing the attention of the government to their social and developmental needs. Evidently, the introduction and installation of Okao in the Benin Kingdom was part of a major administrative development undertaken by Oba Ewuare ‘The Great’ in the 15th century, whose administrative skills brought about the beginning of the arrival to Benin, the traders from Portugal and other parts of Europe through the Ovia river.

Contributed by: Ede Setua.